Neglected dog

[Marty]

You all are usually cool, calm and collected...so I'm looking for advice. My neighbors have a bloodhound and a mix in the back....not cared for lovingly, but with food, water and shelter.. A while back, they got a Chi for daughter and he is kept in the house and taken to the front yard occasionally. I was out doing yard duties last night and usually the bloodhound comes prancing up to say hello...I was aware I hadn't seen much of him lately, so I called his name. He finally dragged himself out of a tiny dog house, and I was shocked at his condition. Skinny, poor coat, and green eyes full of pus. I had DH look, and he went over to talk to the man, who said he'd go check on the dog.

How can they not know that this dog has green, *beep* eyes? I know they use the same Vet I do....would my Vet tell me if they have followed through with medical care....or do I call Animal Control. He is such a sweetie....these people don't deserve him, and my head hurts. BTW, AC has been there before, not called by me, for another pet......My heart hurts for this boy, and I was not able to get a good look at the mix....a month ago, he looked OK.

[JMM]

I would call animal control.

[Ash]

Call Animal Control! Seriously. You'll regret if you don't.

I know there are many poor dogs and other pets like that, but hearing such a story told, my heart aches.

[Marty]

Somehow, I feel I need to at least give them today to get the dog seen....I know our Vet has always seen a sick pet the same day. I know it's not a money issue, either....sigh.

[Ash]

Maybe go over tonight again and inquire about the dog in a neighbourly way. Sometimes people feel more inclined to get their act together when they know others KNOW and watch.

[Traci]

If you at any time, advised the dog be seen by a vet immediately, and over 24 hours passed, and they have yet to get the dog seen, treated, then you have every right to call your local animal control to report abuse. Unfortunately, your vet will respect the vet/client confidentiality, so you may not get any information from him (you could try, explaining you are considering reporting animal abuse).

If you know this dog, and his siblings have been neglected in the past, it's time for animal control to investigate.

[Marty]

Thanks, Traci....how long does it take for eyes to get green and goopy? It seems to me if they even LOOKED at the dog once a day, they would have seen it...

[Traci]

It would depend on the cause....obviously, he has a bacterial infection, but what the underlying cause is would have to be determined by the vet.

Could be anything from a grass seed or other foreign body lodged in the eyes, nose, ears, to a viral or systemic disease or secondary to a primary disease. With a severe bacterial infection, symptoms would probably have started as swelling, redness, irritation, weapy eyes, anorexia and lethargy, especially if the infection has caused a fever. Progression would depend on the cause, but after one obvious symptom, like redness or swelling, it would have been tell-tale the owner should have gotten the dog examined immediately. When discharge is present, it usually means the infection has been present more than a few days, and will only progress without treatment.

[TheSkeptic]

I agree with the others call animal control, but be warned. In some areas they can do nothing for neglect of medical care. As long as a dog has food, water and shelter they may be able to do nothing.